The City of Whitewater received the “Family Friendly Workplace” certificate at the gold level in March 2026. This award is given by the Family Friendly program, a group that rewards Wisconsin cities for going above and beyond to support their working citizens.
In order to receive this award, Whitewater business employers had to complete a detailed review of their workforce policies to show that the city met the program’s requirements. These policies ranged from paid time off to breastfeeding accommodations. The city documented these practices and identified areas of strength over the course of several weeks.
“The City of Whitewater pursued certification through the Family Friendly Workplaces program by completing a formal application and evaluation process that assesses employer policies, benefits and workplace practices,” Whitewater City Manager John Weidl said. “This is the first year the city has received this designation, marking an intentional step forward in aligning our organizational practices with workforce expectations and community values.”
Receiving this certificate highlights Whitewater’s efforts to maintain a safe and reliable workplace for its workers, alongside the general community. This award also helps to bring workers to Whitewater by emphasizing how the city supports them.
“This certification signals that Whitewater is intentional about being a competitive, modern employer,” Weidl said. “It reflects an understanding that workforce recruitment and retention are directly tied to quality of life considerations.”
Whitewater HR Coordinator Kristina Letson says that this certification shows that the City of Whitewater truly values its employees as people, not just workers. The certification reflects their commitment to creating a workplace where employees can thrive both professionally and personally.
“Supporting employees in the workplace has a direct positive impact on the community,” Letson said. “When families have access to policies that allow for stronger family bonding, early childhood support and flexibility during important life stages, it helps create healthier and more stable households.”
When workers are happy, businesses run smoother and help further develop the community.
“The designation extends beyond city staff and contributes to broader community development goals,” Weidl said. “It supports talent attraction and retention in a competitive labor market, strengthens economic stability by making the community more attractive to working families and promotes long-term community health through policies that support family wellbeing.”
The City of Whitewater will receive a plaque from the workplace program April 30 in the Council Chambers.
